An arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian model for studying the influences of corrosion product deposition on bimetallic corrosion

Abstract

In this paper, a model is established to simulate the time-dependent deposition of corrosion product on the metal surface by considering mass transfer, electrochemical reactions and precipitation reaction. The model is also capable of tacking the movement of metal corrosion interface and the growing interface of the corrosion product deposits via arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian finite element method. The current model not only can be used to predict the time-dependent metal corrosion but also for investigating the influences of the deposits’ nature on metal corrosion. The numerical results of current density and corrosion rate are in good agreement with experiments. The presented model predicts that an exponential relationship exists between the maximum corrosion depth and the porosity of corrosion product deposits, and it is also predicted that the growth of the corrosion product layer is linear relative with the root of time, which is consistent with the existing theories.